Richard Cockerill said Tuesday's match against the Barbarians at Welford Road was "a great night all round".
The Barbarians scored nine tries in a 59-26 victory, with Tigers scoring four of their own.
“I’ve got nothing but praise for our lads and nothing but admiration for the Barbarians,” said Cockerill who experienced his first Tigers versus Baa-baas match as a player in 1992.
“It was a great occasion, a great game and I enjoyed watching the Baa-baas play. It was a great night all round.
They had enough pace and power in the backline for any level, world-class players across the board and I thought we did really well to get back into the game in the first half after they made such a good start.
“In the end I was applauding another team scoring at Welford Road – for the first time ever!
“It was a great game and that is what these occasions are about. It was a great spectacle, nobody will go away disappointed, regardless of the score.
“I think it’s a really good concept for us to have a touring team here of whatever nationality and we do it as often as we can.”
While Tigers picked a strongest available side, Cockerill also took the opportunity to look at younger members of the squad including hooker Jake Farnworth, and replacements George Nairn, Charlie Beckett, George Tresidder and Joe Maksymiw.
“A lot of young lads in there have not played in that type of game and now they know what it takes to play at that level,” said Cockerill.
“We brought in our best academy guys and they’re playing against world-class guys. It’s an opportunity to see other guys in this environment and they will be better for the experience tonight.”
Tigers are back on home turf on Sunday, with Sale Sharks the visitors in the LV= Cup. Kick-off is at 3.15pm and tickets are available now. Call in at Welford Road, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or click here to book online. LV= Cup fixtures in the pool rounds are included in Tigers season tickets.
The Barbarians scored nine tries in a 59-26 victory, with Tigers scoring four of their own.
“I’ve got nothing but praise for our lads and nothing but admiration for the Barbarians,” said Cockerill who experienced his first Tigers versus Baa-baas match as a player in 1992.
“It was a great occasion, a great game and I enjoyed watching the Baa-baas play. It was a great night all round.
They had enough pace and power in the backline for any level, world-class players across the board and I thought we did really well to get back into the game in the first half after they made such a good start.
“In the end I was applauding another team scoring at Welford Road – for the first time ever!
“It was a great game and that is what these occasions are about. It was a great spectacle, nobody will go away disappointed, regardless of the score.
“I think it’s a really good concept for us to have a touring team here of whatever nationality and we do it as often as we can.”
While Tigers picked a strongest available side, Cockerill also took the opportunity to look at younger members of the squad including hooker Jake Farnworth, and replacements George Nairn, Charlie Beckett, George Tresidder and Joe Maksymiw.
“A lot of young lads in there have not played in that type of game and now they know what it takes to play at that level,” said Cockerill.
“We brought in our best academy guys and they’re playing against world-class guys. It’s an opportunity to see other guys in this environment and they will be better for the experience tonight.”
Tigers are back on home turf on Sunday, with Sale Sharks the visitors in the LV= Cup. Kick-off is at 3.15pm and tickets are available now. Call in at Welford Road, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or click here to book online. LV= Cup fixtures in the pool rounds are included in Tigers season tickets.
